Max Steinberg poses on a trip to Israel. Stuart Steinberg confirmed the death of his son Max Steinberg to The Associated Press. Steinberg, whose family lives in Southern California's San Fernando Valley, was a sharpshooter for the Golani Brigade in the Israel Defense Forces. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Stuart Steinberg)
Traci Siegel grew up strongly identifying with her Jewish roots. The former Susquehanna Township resident attended Jewish schools, Jewish summer camps and took several family trips to Israel. "I loved it there," said Siegel, who was 14 the first time she traveled to Israel. Two years ago, after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland, Siegel moved to Israel, and before long, volunteered to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. "I saw my future here," she said during a phone interview this week from Jerusalem. "I identified with the culture and with the people, especially with my interest in politics." For Siegel, as with many of the young Americans who put their lives at risk to defend Israel, her commitment to serve was a natural extension of her affinity to the Jewish homeland. "Most people here serve in the military," said Siegel, 25. "It's so much a part of the culture and identity. I thought it was a good idea to serve to integrate myself better." [image: Traci Siegel, IDF]Harrisburg native Traci Siegel moved to Israel and joined the Israel Defense Forces. She said a desire to integrate into the country's culture and identity compelled her to join. She completed her service in April. Her parents live in Susquehanna Township.Courtesy of Traci Siegel The bloody conflict escalation between Israel and Hamas has shed light on the number of Americans serving in the IDF, and the weight of their sacrifice. Since the start of the fighting three weeks ago, at least two Americans have been killed: Max Steinberg, 24, of California, and Nissim Sean Carmeli, 22, of Texas. "They are defending their homeland on a national level and their own families and friends on a personal level," said Aviva Miskin, of Harrisburg, whose two sons live in Israel, and as citizens must meet the country's compulsory army and reserve obligations. "It is their duty and responsibility to serve and defend their country against terrorist attacks." In the 23 days of fighting, approximately 1,300 Palestinians and 56 Israeli soldiers have been killed. International efforts to end the fighting have failed. Palestinian leaders - including Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders - were expected in Cairo in the coming days to discuss a new truce proposal. In interviews with other media, IDF spokeswoman Lt. Libby Weiss reports that close to 1,000 Americans serve in the IDF. In total, the force has about 4,000 non-Israeli-born troops, or lone soldiers, foreign nationals who volunteer to serve in the IDF. Lone soldiers are different than the American citizens who have become Israeli citizens and serve in the IDF. "These are kids who have a strong sense of who they are and they understand history and feel that by doing this they are protecting democracy and Jews worldwide," said Philip Berry, Mid-Atlantic region executive director of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces <http://www.fidf.org/page.aspx?pid=194>, an organization that works to support lone soldiers and their families. "They have a strong sense of community and love for the U.S. and Israel." "They are defending their homeland on a national level and their own families and friends on a personal level." - Aviva Miskin Israel grants citizenship to all Jews. Foreign nationals, as with Israeli-born citizens, who meet the requirements for admission into the military <http://www.nbn.org.il/aliyahpedia/army/serving-in-the-israeli-army.html>, must serve out their compulsory service. The mandatory service applies to men age 18-25 and women age 17-20. His family tree bearing the names of relatives who perished in the Holocaust, Williamsport attorney Clifford Rieders said the decision by his daughter Kaila to move to Israel and join the army did not surprise him. "We are very proud of her," Rieders said. Kaila, who is 23, reports for basic training on Aug. 24. The weight of the sacrifice - particularly in the wake of the deaths of the two American soldiers - weigh on young Americans in Israel. "I think all deaths are sad but there is something really special about someone who came here and left their home to do something they really wanted to do and give his life for it," Siegel said. "It's just sad. These people a made choice and knew what they were doing. We are just very grateful for them." To be sure, such commitment also weighs heavily on the families in the U.S. watching the events in Israel and Gaza unfold. "It's very a frightening situation," said Rabbi Eric Cytryn of Beth El Temple in Harrisburg, whose daughter, Sarah, her husband and nine-month son live in Israel. Gabi Mitchell, Cytryn's son-in-law, serves in the IDF. "No one should have to live under the threat of having missiles shot at you by your neighbors. We are scared for our children on that level but we are hopeful that this will all stop as soon as possible." Cytryn was in Jerusalem a few weeks ago when the first wave of rockets aimed at Israel were destroyed by the country's Iron Dome defense system. For now, he takes comfort in the fact that they will return to the states in a few weeks, as his son-in-law prepares to enter into a doctorate program at Virginia Tech. "It makes us feel happy," Cytryn said. "They will be two-and-a-half hours away. There's probably little danger that Maryland and North Carolina will want to shoot missiles at them." Eva Siegel, Traci's mother, also finds a measure of comfort knowing her daughter lives in Jerusalem, and not closer to Gaza. But in a country the size of New Jersey, distances are relative. A few weeks ago, she was on the phone with her daughter when the sirens went off, warning Israeli citizens of incoming rockets. "Most of the time I know she's safe," Eva Siegel said. "I know Israel is doing whatever it can to protect its citizens. It's a tough situation, though, knowing you child is in country at war." Siegel said that while it's a heroic sacrifice for Americans to live a safe country and volunteer to serve in the IDF, she mourns the lives of all who have been killed in the fighting. Although she had reservations when Traci first told her of her decision to move to Israel, Eva Siegel says she is nothing but proud of her daughter's decision. "The path she chose, to move to Israel all alone, is very challenging under the best of circumstances," she said. "It is hard enough for young college graduates to become independent here. She is navigating life in a foreign country....While we miss her, we are proud and supportive of the choices she has made." Siegel, who completed her service with the Israeli Air Force in April, will attend Tel Aviv University in the fall where she will start a Masters program in public policy. Although she is fiercely loyal and supportive of Israel, Traci Siegel would prefer to see Israel resolve the conflict in a diplomatic way, rather than wage a war. "I moved here and served in the army," she said. "All I want to do is serve this country." --- yep ... she's just another zionist who will sacrifice American interests for israel. On Monday, March 2, 2015 at 7:48:37 AM UTC-6, KeithInTampa wrote: > > > > On Mon, Mar 2, 2015 at 8:00 AM, plainolamerican <[email protected] > <javascript:>> wrote: > >> speculation noted. >> in the meantime, zionist loving US warmongers will continue to live in >> fear of islam and sacrifice their children to a silly religious war. >> >> On Monday, March 2, 2015 at 6:27:20 AM UTC-6, KeithInTampa wrote: >>> >>> Those hate filled Jew hating Anti-American far left extremists will be >>> the first ones clamoring for the government to do something once they are >>> personally affected by the likes of ISIS. >>> >>> On Mon, Mar 2, 2015 at 12:59 AM, plainolamerican <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> the Middle East has been nothing but barbaric since time began! >>>> --- >>>> yet zionists and neocons continue to waste American wealth on those >>>> animals. >>>> they must be removed from our government by any means necessary. >>>> lock & load!!! >>>> >>>> On Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 9:46:08 AM UTC-6, Bruce Majors wrote: >>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Saturday, February 28, 2015, Dorothy Christner <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Sorry Bob! But, as a Mom, I would strap the bomb on and blow myself >>>>>> up instead of my child! Besides, these monsters are grabbing other >>>>>> people's children and hoisting the bomb on someone else's child! >>>>>> >>>>>> Stop trying to justify what they are doing! Who fired the first shot >>>>>> anyway? >>>>>> >>>>>> I HATE war for the record. But the Middle East has been nothing but >>>>>> barbaric since time began! >>>>>> >>>>>> So many here pile on against our own country! Personally, I worry >>>>>> that many of you would cooperate with the enemy if it would save you and >>>>>> yours. >>>>>> >>>>>> I love this country! I am proud to be an American. We are allowing >>>>>> criminals and worse to come into our country! No filters! We are going >>>>>> to >>>>>> rue the day we sat back and did nothing while Barack Insane Obama >>>>>> ignored >>>>>> our laws and committed treason under our noses! He swore to uphold and >>>>>> enforce our constitution but he had NO intention of doing same! His >>>>>> handlers are going to hand us over to our enemies. >>>>>> >>>>>> He is destroying our military! Valarie Jarrett and Obama! Neither >>>>>> love this country! Giuliani was right! Obama called Bush unpatriotic! >>>>>> Really???? >>>>>> >>>>>> Levon >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>> >>>>>> On Feb 28, 2015, at 3:19 AM, "Bob Wynman" <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> *Levon, if thugs from across the ocean (or DC, for that matter) >>>>>> bombed our cities, murdered our families, killed & maimed us, left our >>>>>> land >>>>>> devoid of food, littered with mine fields. depleted uranium, bombs, >>>>>> killed >>>>>> us with drones, chemicals, occupied out towns for years, a few of us, >>>>>> those >>>>>> who preferred death to servitude, like Patrick Henry, might very likely >>>>>> strap bombs to our chests in order to take as many of the thugs with us >>>>>> as >>>>>> possible.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *And yes, as a 10-year-old kid, having witnessed the murder of my >>>>>> father and brothers and the rape/torture death of my sisters and mother, >>>>>> might well conclude that the best future for me is to don the ol’ >>>>>> suicide >>>>>> vest myself & sally forth to a large meeting of the invading thugs.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *Yes, Levon, “*Strapping bombs on innocent children is not what we >>>>>> do!*” … possibly because we’ve not yet been faced with the >>>>>> situations that cause people to do such horrible things.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *--bob & lou* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *From:* Dorothy Christner [mailto:[email protected]] >>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, February 27, 2015 10:03 PM >>>>>> *To:* Bob Wynman >>>>>> *Subject:* Re: Crusades and Jihad. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Bob! Do you have children and grandchildren? Strapping bombs on >>>>>> innocent children is not what we do! >>>>>> >>>>>> What is with you people? Trying to justify Islamic terrorists? >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Levon >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Feb 27, 2015, at 10:17 PM, "Bob Wynman" <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> *I sorta suspect that if the Chinese were to have done to our country >>>>>> and our people what the out-of-control us “Government” HAS DONE TO >>>>>> countries and people in the Middle East we’d be strapping suicide bombs >>>>>> to >>>>>> our kids to blow up the Chinese occupying our communities also.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *--bob* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *From:* Dorothy Christner [mailto:[email protected]] >>>>>> *Sent:* Friday, February 27, 2015 8:34 PM >>>>>> *Subject:* Re: Crusades and Jihad. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Greg, how can anyone defend Muslim's cutting off heads, putting a >>>>>> suicide bomb on a ten year old who blows herself up in a crowd of >>>>>> innocent >>>>>> people! Or burning people alive? Instead of admitting it's horrible, >>>>>> all >>>>>> we hear from Dan, Posterboy, etc. is their trying to justify it with >>>>>> something so called Christians did a thousand years ago!! >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> We are not living in the past of a thousand years ago, we are dealing >>>>>> with the here and now! >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Levon >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Feb 27, 2015, at 3:09 PM, Advanced Studies < >>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> *By the Middle Ages in Europe ... Islam had already established a >>>>>> brutal, warrior approach to conquering lands and people. The Crusades >>>>>> were >>>>>> created by the Pope to protect Christian access to Christian Holy Lands. >>>>>> >>>>>> Muslims were already establishing a number of different Caliphates to >>>>>> represent the "true" Islam ... just like they are today. * >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *Conner, if you think that Jihadi John ... who is featured in the >>>>>> beheadings lately, is not a throw back to the 12th Century tribalism of >>>>>> Islamic Jihadists ... then, you are sadly mistaken. Muslims have a long >>>>>> history of barbarism ... from the days of the Prophet Mohammed killing >>>>>> any >>>>>> "non-believers" that stood in his way until now.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, Feb 27, 2015 at 1:03 PM, John Machado <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Ah, the final steps in the bullshit parade: re-write history. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Advanced is a student of the masters: Bill O'Reilly, Fox News, Rush >>>>>> Limbaugh...et al. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> In a country where most people can think .. those people would be run >>>>>> out of town... >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> but, >>>>>> >>>>>> then, >>>>>> >>>>>> in a country where most people can think, most would know, 9-11 was >>>>>> an inside job.. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> and, so, the bullshit prevails. >>>>>> >>>>>> *[Bo7b:] --------------------------* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *I often feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side & a dark side, and >>>>>> it holds the universe together.* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *"Never kick a cow chip on a hot day." -- Cowboy Wisdom* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> *--bob & lou* >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>> -- >>>> Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. >>>> For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum >>>> >>>> * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ >>>> * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. >>>> * Read the latest breaking news, and more. >>>> >>>> --- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "PoliticalForum" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> >>> -- >> -- >> Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. >> For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum >> >> * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ >> * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. >> * Read the latest breaking news, and more. >> >> --- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "PoliticalForum" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected] <javascript:>. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > -- -- Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ * It's active and moderated. Register and vote in our polls. * Read the latest breaking news, and more. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "PoliticalForum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
